Where are the riders in NYC? Summer edition
Summer is in full swing, and it’s great to see after the year or so we’ve all had. With New York City back open for business and almost all pandemic restrictions lifted, riders are keen to make the most of all NYC has to offer. Here’s our updated guide for TLC drivers on where the likely pickup locations are over the next few weeks.
With the weather looking to stay hot and sunny, outdoor dining, rooftop bars and the waterfront all look like a good bet for pickups. We’ve set out some of the places you might want to head out to below, including some of the live events, potential tourist hotspots and more ideas on where the riders are likely to be.
The following information is correct at the time of writing on July 20, 2021.
Restaurant Week
This week saw the return of NYC Restaurant Week, which kicked off on July 19 and runs until August 22.
The dining program offers people a chance to try out different places to eat citywide, with lunch and dinner options at a fixed price. Participating restaurants are offering indoor and outdoor tables as well as takeout and delivery options.
There are over 500 eateries, cafes and restaurants taking part – here’s Time Out’s selection of some of the hotly tipped places and new restaurants riders may be keen to try.
Live events and concerts
There’s likely to be pent-up demand for live events and concerts after a long time away. Among the major events to watch out for are the Elrow NYC open air dance festival at the Brooklyn Mirage on July 24, and the SummerStage events at Central Park, which play host to jazz, dance and hip-hop shows on July 24, 25 and 31, followed by a salsa event on August 1.
Elsewhere concerts coming up at Pier 17 include Rise Against on July 30, and Blues Traveler and JJ Grey and Mofro on August 4. Doors open at 5.30pm and events are due to finish no later than 10pm.
There’s also the New York City Poetry Festival this weekend at Governors Island, taking place 11am – 6pm both days.
And for sports fans there is the NBA Draft 2021 at the Barclays Center on July 29, with doors open at 7pm.
Other places to watch
The prospect of a long weekend away might be attractive to a lot of people right now, especially if they’re still wary about getting back to international travel. This could mean a welcome boost for drivers.
If so, be prepared for more riders out and about on Thursday afternoons and Fridays, and on Sunday evenings for the return trips. Residential areas such as the Upper West Side, the Lower East Side and Williamsburg are likely pickup points, with riders potentially heading to and from Grand Central and Penn Station, perhaps to take the LIRR out for a weekend break at the Hamptons.
For tourists and interested locals, a new attraction has opened up on the Hudson River called Little Island, also known as Pier 55. The ‘floating’ urban park offers views of the Manhattan skyline and hosts live performances and workshops in its amphitheater. It’s currently hosting a Storytelling Festival until July 25, with events starting at 12pm on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday and running into the late evening both nights.
And for those looking to cool off in the heat, NYC’s outdoor Public Pools are now open – potentially busy areas for pickups include city favourites Astoria Pool, McCarren Park Pool in Greenpoint which can draw big crowds, and the Olympic-size Hamilton Fish Pool on the Lower East Side.
At INSHUR, we look for ways to help TLC drivers make more money, while also keeping you and your riders safe. You can check out your insurance options with INSHUR here.
Sources:
https://www.nycgo.com/restaurant-week/
https://www.avant-gardner.com/events
https://cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage/
https://www.barclayscenter.com/events/detail/nba-draft-2021
https://ny.curbed.com/2020/2/11/21115257/new-york-city-best-neighborhoods-where-to-live
https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/best-swimming-pools-in-nyc
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/new-york-city-travel-covid-19/index.html
